Redemption(21)

Tara looked stunning in a two-tone fitted dress. “Wow, girl. Look at you. Are you ready?”

Tara shook her head. “Girl, I haven’t had any action in months. I’m more ready than I’ve ever been in my fucking life.”

We both started laughing as I invited her inside. I called a cab and we sat with a glass of wine whilst we waited.

Tara was on form, downing her glass within the ten minutes it took for the cab driver to arrive. She saw the way I looked at her and frowned. “Girl, when was the last time we let our hair down?”

I had to smile. That was Tara all over…and I loved her for it.

With the cab driver at the door, we grabbed our things and went out into the hot night air. It was sticky and close but, thankfully, we could get into an air conditioned car.

It didn’t take long to get to the new bar in Georgetown. Tara and I climbed out and thanked the sleazy-looking cab driver. The bar was already busy as voices filled the air. Tara linked her arm through mine. “Shall we?”

I nodded and we both walked in. Some heads turned and a few men gave us both the once-over. “Why do I feel exposed all of a sudden?” I whispered to Tara.

“Come on, girl. You can’t expect to dress like that and not have men notice. Have you seen your boobs? Even I want to squeeze them.”

We both giggled and ordered our drinks from the bar. “So, how are you and Evan doing?” I cringed a little. Of course she noticed. “What’s happened?”

I didn’t think there was any point in lying to her. She was the only friend here who knew all about what happened.

“Dean happened.”

Her eyes widened. “What? How?”

I closed my eyes. “I rang my parents in a panic and he found out where I was. Last night, he came climbing through my window, bold as brass. He then visited me outside my house earlier today.”

Tara placed her hand on my arm. “Oh, baby girl, I’m sorry. What happened last night?”

I looked at her sheepishly and sighed. “He wants me back. He said he was going to do everything he can to fix this. He said he loves me and can’t live without me.”

Tara frowned for a moment. “What did you say?”

The drinks came and I took a moment to take a swig of mine. I let the burn of the rum slide down my throat before I spoke. “I told him that he hurt me too much. That he couldn’t fix us. That we’re basically too broken to fix.”

Tara sipped her rum. “Shit, Jessica. What did he say back?”

I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering the feel of him being so close. He would always take over everything, no matter how hard I tried. “He said he’d do whatever it takes. That he would pick every single broken piece up and mend us back together again. He then left, telling me Evan better watch out because he now had a fight on his hands.”

Tara’s eyes widened. “Fuck.”

I nodded. “My sentiments exactly.”

Tara frowned, then sighed. “I have to be honest with you, Jessica. I’m conflicted. You and I have been so close for so long, and your happiness is all that I would ever desire for you. But…I have worked with Evan for so long. He’s a good guy and I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

My eyes almost pooled with tears. “I know. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you. I’m sorry. I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position.”

Tara placed her hand on mine. “Baby girl, you will always need a friend, and you have one in me. I don’t want to see you or Evan suffer. If you truly love Evan, you must tell him. Stay with him and tell Dean that you never want to see him again. But if, for one second, you doubt your feelings for Evan, or you know you can’t get over Dean, it’s unfair to Evan. He will need to know so he can move on, and vice versa.”

I nodded, tears in my eyes. “I know. Thank you.”

Tara hugged me and when she pulled away, she offered me a half-smile. “So, can I ask how you feel?”

I laughed. “Oh god, Tara. We’re gonna need more drinks if we start talking about that.”

Tara banged the bar. “Well, if that’s the case, two more rum on the rocks over here, please!” she shouted.







About an hour, and three more shots of rum, later Tara and I were well on our way to becoming merry. We were in the middle of ordering another when two men approached the bar. They both were handsome with dark hair, one slicked back and the other cropped. They looked to be in their mid-twenties, which would be a little young for me. Finding two older ladies certainly didn’t stop them. I could tell what they were after just from the way they were looking at us.

“Hi there.” The one with the cropped hair sidled up to me, whilst the other guy came in close to Tara.